Sustainable Living | June's Blog

In this month’s newsletter, Michael Dart tells us what's happening on the farm...

And just like that we are nearly half way through 2022. With everything that is going on across the world at the moment, it’s seeming more important than ever to be living sustainably through supporting local supply chains, economies and communities and farming in harmony with our nature to produce the best tasting foods, whilst preserving our unique and beautiful landscapes.

Here at Darts Farm, these beliefs have always been at the core of our business. Whilst supermarkets and globalisation have spear-headed the industrialised food chain in an unsustainable way, at the other end of the spectrum we produce what we can from our own farm and then buy in off other local farmers, food producers and artisans. We believe our model is much more sustainable, helps to create a vibrant local community and produces better tasting food. Although we accept that this approach does not always produce cheaper food (per kg); we believe that it’s much more sustainable to eat less food that is much better in quality, giving you more pleasure and reducing food waste.

our-fields-paul-matthews-head-chef-darts-farm-devon_600x700 On the farm, June is one of the craziest months of the year. The team are busy hand-picking the new season summer crops (lettuce, spinach, beetroot, broad beans, courgette flowers, tender-stem, pointed cabbage, rhubarb and more) as well as bringing in the last of our spring produce, including our beautiful tart rhubarb; which Becky and Louise, turn into the best seasonal gelato, here on site in Cow & Cacao.

It’s not just picking though; June is the month that we do a lot of our planting. The majority of our brassicas and winter veg are now going into our fertile red soils; broccoli, leeks, cauliflower, kale, the list goes on.

hospicare-sunflowers-pick-your-own-dart-brothers-charity-darts-farm-devon_600x700 We have also just planted our iconic ‘Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers for Hospiscare’, but this year, there is a slight twist… Whilst half of the field will be a breath-taking sea of yellow as normal, the other half will be planted with beautiful blue flowers and all proceeds raised from our pick-your-own, will be split between the local charity Hospiscare and charities doing vital work in Ukraine; both fantastic causes!

In 2021, we were able to raise a total of £10,730.66 with our pick-your-own sunflowers and we hope to have another record-breaking year in 2022!

cattle-ruby-reds-darts-farm-exeter_600x700 Down on the wetlands the cattle are out enjoying the rich pastures and summer sun! Our herd are crucial to our thriving eco-system here on the farm, and play a key role in our traditional farming practices. They keep the soil fertile with their dung and encourage a new growth of grass which helps to lock and reduce carbon. Then, during the winter months, we raise the water levels of the same area, increasing the soils ability to lock carbon and helping to encourage bio-diversity and increase our wild-life presence. It’s all about farming in harmony with nature!

Classic_car_Show_Darts_Farm_Devon_600x700 This Sunday, we are joining forces with local charity Estuary League of Friends to bring back our much-loved Classic Car Show. It’s a great day out for all of the family and raises much needed funds for the amazing work this charity does in our local community. You can enjoy a show of cherished cars from local owners ranging from the vintage era to modern day cult classics; dance the day away with live music from The Mojo Traveller Band; and keep refuelled with a Darts Farm BBQ, fresh pizzas & delicious street food, washed down with a selection of local tipples from Pebblebed Vineyards, Sandford Orchards and Copper Fox Bar.

Darts Farm

Sustainable Living | June's Blog

Posted in The Farm, Lifestyle on 16 Jun 2022

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